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MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced today that 13 alleged members of the Salvadorians with Pride street gang in Hempstead have been indicted by a grand jury for multiple violent acts, including stabbings and shootings, between May and November 2016.

The 13 defendants are charged with various crimes in the 49-count indictment, including Conspiracy in the 1st Degree (an A-I felony), Conspiracy in the 2nd Degree (a B felony), Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree (a B violent felony), as well as assault, robbery, weapons possession and other related charges. Eight of the defendants face up to 25 years to life in prison on the charges.

“Gang violence can terrorize a neighborhood, and thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Nassau County Police Department and my office, these alleged gang members will now face justice for their actions,” said DA Singas. “Law enforcement, community leaders, and parents must continue to work together to prevent young people from joining these destructive groups that ruin so many promising young lives.”

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of an extensive investigation that was worked on collaboratively by the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office,” said Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter. “Protecting the public is our number one priority and bringing these dangerous defendants to justice was of the utmost importance.”

DA Singas said that, according to the indictment, members of Salvadorians with Pride (SWP), including Wilmer Sandoval, a/k/a Scrappy, Jimmy Bonilla, a/k/a Jim Jones, a/k/a Gem Starr, Ariel Mejia, a/k/a Droopy, a/k/a Street, Edwin Gomez, a/k/a Steel, and other indicted individuals, allegedly engaged in coordinated violent acts against members of rival gangs and non-gang members beginning in May 2016. The rival gangs allegedly included Vatos Locos, MS-13 and Latin Pride.

On May 5, members of SWP, including Sandoval and other indicted individuals, allegedly attacked a member of a rival gang in front of a fast food restaurant in Hempstead.

On May 12, Sandoval, and other indicted individuals, allegedly attacked three members of the same gang in front of another fast food restaurant in Hempstead. One victim was struck in the head with a hammer allegedly by Sandoval. The following day, Sandoval and Bonilla were driving in Hempstead when Sandoval allegedly shot at another rival gang member.

On May 18, several indicted individuals allegedly approached a victim – who is not a gang member – and demanded his phone. One gang member allegedly shot at the victim with a BB gun.

On June 18, several indicted individuals, including Bonilla, allegedly targeted a rival gang member at the rear of 485 Front Street in Hempstead. The victim was allegedly dragged out of his car and stabbed 25 times. The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition and survived. One victim, an occupant of the car, was stabbed in the elbow and hand, while another victim was punched.

On August 7, a defendant – who has yet to be arraigned – allegedly shot at rival gang members in a car in Hempstead. Two days later, the same defendant allegedly saw rival gang members on Dartmouth Avenue and allegedly shot at the car. The victim was grazed by a bullet in the back of his neck.

The defendants were arrested with the assistance of the Nassau County Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by members of the Special Operations, Narcotics and Gang Bureau.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.